The Where I Live series aims to showcase our diverse city and region by spotlighting its many vibrant neighborhoods. Each week a local resident invites us over and lets us in on what makes their neighborhood special. Have we been to your neighborhood yet? Get in touch to share your story. If your story is selected and published, you will receive a $250 stipend.
Moving to San Antonio from Houston for college was a major change in my life, leaving family and friends to live on my own for the first time. Originally, I was attending the University of Texas at San Antonio pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering.
When I decided that engineering wasn’t for me, I found the aircraft technician program at St. Philip’s College and began searching for neighborhoods where I could balance the commute to school and my job at H-E-B.
Pipers Meadow, with a good balance of affordability and location, fit everything I was looking for.
My commute to campus and work are both about 15 minutes, which is perfect for me. There’s also amenities like shopping, recreation and anything else you could need all within a short drive of me.
I try to spend much of my time outdoors. Fishing has always been one of my favorite ways to decompress. I often make the 35 minute drive up to Boerne Lake with friends or by myself — a very reasonable drive for a fishing trip.
It’s peaceful with nice views and no noise of the city. Being on the water helps me forget about all my other commitments and gives me time to relax with no worries.
Drake Behrens enjoys an evening stroll at Cathedral Rock Park after getting out of work on Aug. 28, 2025. Credit: Clint Datchuk for the San Antonio Report
I also like to explore hiking and nature trails around San Antonio. Cathedral Rock Park and the greenways in the area are two spots I enjoy walking in nature and getting some steps in after work or school when it’s cooler in the afternoon.
The Pipers Meadow area having multiple parks and trails is something that wasn’t a top priority for me when moving here, but it is something I am definitely grateful for.
Another one of my favorite parts about this side of San Antonio is the wide variety of restaurants. From tacos to seafood places to barbecue to Asian spots and more, this area has something no matter what I’m craving.
Recently, I tried a food truck called Taquitos El Jefe, just down the road from me. The shrimp and beef tacos were so good, I’ve had them multiple times just in the past few weeks. I’ve found multiple spots that I enjoy and keep going back to — and I’m still trying new places every week.
Being just a short drive from downtown San Antonio is also a major benefit. I enjoy being able to head down to the River Walk or the Alamodome to watch a UTSA football game. Whether I’m meeting friends or family to explore shops, or walking along the water, it’s nice to have the option to explore the city without having to make a whole trip out of it.
The convenience of living just outside the city gives me the best of the suburbs, nature and the city, with access to everything downtown offers without being stuck in it all the time.
Overall, living in Pipers Meadow has helped me find a strong balance between working, school, and time to relax or be as active as I want. It has turned out to be a great choice while I work toward obtaining my degree, and it’s given me the chance to explore what San Antonio has to offer, both in the city and in nature.
I am very happy with this part of the city and am excited to find out more of what it has to offer. I will be here for a few more years of schooling and wherever life takes me after that.